FARA 83

Go Back to Assault Rifle

Go Back To Weapons Home

	Weapon: FARA 83 Type: Assault Rifle Country of Origin: Argentina Year Adopted: 1984 Caliber: 5.56x45 NATO Action: Select Fire Overall Length (mm): 1000.0 Overall Length (in): 39.37 Weight (kg): 3.95 Weight (pounds): 8.71 Effective Range (m): 600 m Effective Range (yards): 656.17

The FARA 83 (Fusil Automatico Republica Argentina 1983) is an Argentine-designed assault rifle developed in the early 1980s by Fabricaciones Militares. Intended to replace the aging FN FAL rifles in Argentine service, the FARA 83 was chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO and featured a conventional layout with a gas-operated, rotating bolt system. It bore a resemblance to the Soviet AK-47 and the Israeli Galil, incorporating a folding metal stock, a 30-round detachable magazine, and a fixed carrying handle. The rifle was designed for reliability and ease of use, making it well-suited for both conventional infantry and mechanized troops.

Production of the FARA 83 was limited, with only around 1,200 units manufactured before the program was discontinued in the late 1980s. Economic difficulties, shifting military priorities, and the continued use of the FN FAL led to the Argentine military canceling large-scale adoption of the rifle. Despite its promising design, the FARA 83 never saw full-scale service deployment and remained a relatively obscure firearm within Argentina's military arsenal. However, some units were reportedly tested by the Argentine armed forces and special operations groups.

The FARA 83 is regarded as a rare and somewhat forgotten attempt by Argentina to produce an indigenous modern assault rifle. While it was never mass-produced or widely fielded, the design demonstrated Argentina's capability to manufacture modern small arms. Today, surviving examples are highly sought after by collectors, and the rifle remains an interesting "what-if" in the history of Argentine military firearms development. Despite its limited impact, the FARA 83 remains a notable piece of Argentina's efforts to develop its own small arms industry.